Method For Communication And Collaboration Over A Network

Abstract

In a method for communication over a network workflow process data retrieved from a workflow server is associated with user data identifying a user of an instant messaging system and the association between user data and workflow process data is displayed on a user interface. The method allows to process workflow data within an instant messaging client.

1 . A method for communication and collaboration over a network, in which instant messages are exchanged between an instant messaging server and an instant messaging client and in which workflow data provided by a workflow server are processed by the instant messaging client, wherein user data identifying a specific user of the instant messaging client is used to retrieve workflow process data associated with the specific user from the workflow server and wherein the association between user data and workflow process data is displayed on a user interface. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a user identification is requested from a directory service by the instant messaging client after the specific user has logged into the instant messaging client. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein a set of workflow data associated with the user identification is requested from a workflow server by the instant messaging client. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the workflow data is cached into the instant messaging client and updated periodically. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a set of available users is requested from an instant messaging server by the instant messaging client. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the set of available users is cached in the instant messaging client and periodically updated. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein a status list of workflow processes created by the specific user and assigned to other users is generated from the workflow process data associated with the specific user and is displayed on the user interface. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein a task list of workflow processes created by the specific user and assigned to other users is generated from the workflow process data associated with the specific user and is displayed on the user interface. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the availability of the other users is indicated by indicators associated with each list item. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein on selection of a selected user among the set of available users a user identification of the selected user is requested from a directory service by the instant messaging client. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein a status list of workflow processes created by the specific user and assigned to the selected user is generated from the workflow process data associated with the specific user and is displayed on the user interface. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein a task list of workflow processes created by the selected user and assigned to the specific user is generated from the workflow process data associated with the specific user and is displayed on the user interface. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the workflow process data is filtered on the specific user and the selected user. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein on opening a workflow item of the workflow process data a form identification is retrieved from the workflow server and a workflow form associated with the form identification and containing the workflow process data of the selected workflow item is displayed on the user interface. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein workflow process data is transmitted from the workflow form to the workflow server. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the workflow server provides a web service for retrieving workflow process data from the workflow server. 
   
   
       17 . An instant messaging client for communication and collaboration over a network comprising:
 program code for exchanging instant messages with an instant messaging server;   program code for processing workflow data provided by a workflow server; and   program code for retrieving user data identifying a specific user of the instant messaging client, for retrieving workflow process data associated with the specific user from the workflow server and for displaying the association between user data and workflow process data on a user interface.   
   
   
       18 . A plug-in for an instant messaging client comprising program code arranged for retrieving user data identifying a specific user of the instant messaging client, for retrieving workflow process data from a workflow server and for displaying the association between user data and workflow process data on a user interface.